Abbotsford has emerged as a destination for film production, particularly in the past few years.

Last year saw 59 film productions done at 125 locations over 197 days. In 2024 it's much of the same, with the overall economic impact for the year estimated at $2.27 million.

But it's not ALL Hallmark Christmas movies that have historically been produced locally. Here's a look at the five highest-grossing movies ever filmed in Abbotsford:

1) Good Boys – $111.2 million

Good Boys (2019) is considered a coming-of-age comedy that follows three sixth graders who ditch school to replace a broken drone and prep for their first kisses after being invited to a party. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg's company Point Grey Pictures produced the film. Good Boys was nominated for a People's Choice Award in the favourite comedy movie category.

The movie features young stars Jacob Tremblay, Keith L. Williams, and Brady Noon, as well as Will Forte as one of the children's dad's. Good Boys had a $21.4 million opening weekend on Aug. 18, 2019. The movie was also shot in Vancouver, Langley and inside Langley's Yorkson Creek Middle School.

2) Shooter – $95.7 million

The 2007 thriller follows a veteran who is framed for murder and a manhunt follows. It stars Mark Wahlberg as the main character and also features Michael Peña and Danny Glover. A 2016 television series based on the movie was also created, but that was not filmed locally.

Shooter was specifically filmed locally in the Matsqui area. It shot in several other B.C. locations, including Cache Creek, Kamloops, New Wesminster, Vancouver and Ashcroft. It collected $14.5 million in its opening weekend on March 25, 2007.

3) Dreamcatcher – $81.2 million

This 2003 science fiction horror film is based on a novel by Stephen King. The story features four friends on a camping trip who realize that the town they're vacationing in is being plagued in an unusual fashion by parasitic aliens from outer space.

Dreamcatcher stars Morgan Freeman, Thomas Jane, Jason Lee and Timothy Olyphant. Despite its relatively high box office return, the movie cost $68 million to produce and is considered a commercial flop.

The movie used the historic Sumas Pumphouse (39623 Old Yale Rd.) to double as Derry, Maine early in the movie. It was also filmed in Prince George, Richmond, Vancouver and Burnaby. 

4) Miracle – $64.5 million

The 2004 sports movie tells the underdog tale of the United States men's ice hockey team and their incredible run at the 1980 Winter Olympics. Kurt Russell stars as head coach Herb Brooks. The movie collected $19.3 million in its opening weekend.

Abbotsford's MSA Arena is used for all the team practice scenes. Vancouver's Pacific Coliseum and the PNE Agrodome, as well as New Westminster's Queen's Park Arena were also used in the movie.

It's considered by some to be one of the best sports movies of all time and won the ESPY for best sports movie of the year in 2004.

5) Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco – $32.7 million

This 1996 family movie is a sequel to the 1993 film Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey. It features two dogs and a cat trying to survive on the streets of San Francisco and finding their way home. The trio of pets are voiced by Michael J. Fox, Sally Field and Ralph Waite.

The movie also features the voice talents of Sinbad, Tommy Lasorda, Al Michaels, Bob Uecker and Carla Gugino. The Abbotsford International Airport is used in this film during a scene in which a plane takes off over the pets. Vancouver and San Francisco were also used as locations.